Day One – (Arrival Day and La Valtellina - Apple orchards, vineyards and beautiful mountains as far as the eye can see!)

Voghera/Malpensa - Varenna - La Valtellina

Provided Meals: Dinner

You will be met by Jim at the Voghera train station between 11 and 11.30am, or alternatively at Milan’s Malpensa Airport between 12.30 and 1pm. We then head up to the area in the northern most part of Lombardy known as La Valtellina. Spectacularly located in a very picturesque valley, La Valtellina shares the border with Switzerland. Along the way guests will have a break in the charming town of Varenna, on the eastern shore of Lake Como. We then head to the Valtellina, where our cosy farmhouse awaits us! After our arrival, and once you have settled in, you have the opportunity to relax amidst the apple orchards and vineyards at our residence, the “Al Vecchio Torchio (The Old Wine Press)”. Tonight's dinner is at the “Al Vecchio Torchio”.

Day Two – (“Il Trenino Rosso”, St Moritz, Livigno and Casalinga Cooking Class - “I Pizzocheri”)

St Moritz, Switzerland – Livigno – Tirano

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today is a very special day indeed. Don't forget your passports because early this morning you will depart from Tirano on the Trenino Rosso for a day out in the Swiss Alps! Enjoy the magnificent views of the mountains as the “little red train” meanders through a multitude of valleys and passes, and climbs up to a height of 2252 meters above sea level! It is truly one of the most spectacular train rides that exists today. Spend a couple of hours in St Moritz enjoying the lakeside ambience that this classic Swiss mountain resort has to offer, and we then move on to the scenic Italian tax free town of Livigno, where you can buy sunglasses watches and a whole range of items at pretty good prices! After our day out we spend the evening at Al Vecchio Torchio with the establishment's chef, Vittorio, as we learn and help him to prepare our evening's dinner, the famous local dish - Pizzocheri (a tasty pasta dish unique to this area comprised of Grano Saraceno (Buck Wheat) pasta, potatoes, and a hearty mix of cabbage, sage, butter and the local Casera cheese. We will later enjoy the fruits of our labour over a relaxing evening's meal once all the hard work in the kitchen is done!

Day Three – (Tirano and Sondrio)

Tirano - Sondrio – Al Vecchio Torchio

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Today is our last full day in the beautiful Valtellina. In the mid morning we will be visiting the rustic town of Tirano. The morning is free here, but our suggestion would be to visit the lovely Palazzo Salis, with its highly decorated rooms and lovely garden. For our provided lunch we will be dining in a restaurant located in the old town. After lunch we will have a rest at Al Vecchio Torchio, before moving on to Sondrio, an elegant nearby provincial city. After this excursion we return to Al Vecchio Torchio for a free evening in preparation for our day out on Lake Como tomorrow.

Day Four – (Lake Como Day)

Lake Como – Menaggio, Bellagio and the Majesty of Italy’s most beautiful lake! (Private Lake Tour also available)

Provided Meals: Breakfast

Today we once again visit Lake Como, one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe and a place described by the poet Percy Shelley, as ”surpassing in beauty everything I have ever seen hitherto”. Amongst the famous people to grace the shores of the lake, both past and present, are George Clooney, Gianni Versace and Pliny the Younger in the first century AD! The day is spent in the Triangolo Lariano, or the central section of the lake in the towns of Menaggio and Bellagio, where, after your ferry crossing, you can enjoy a free lunch in one of the many eateries in Bellagio beside the Lake.

We return to Al Vecchio Torchio for a free evening.

Day Five – (Lake Maggiore and Piedmont)

Stresa - Monferrato, Piedmont

Provided Meals: Breakfast

Today we depart La Valtellina to begin the next leg of our tour - Piedmont. Before we reach our lodging, which is deep in the heart of Piedmont's wine country, we break for a free lunch in the gorgeous lakeside town of Stresa, on the shores of Lake Maggiore. After lunch we head off to the classic wine region of Piedmont for our next few days together where a host of gastronomic delights await us! Upon arrival at our charming lodging, La Quercia Rossa in Moncalvo, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a free and very relaxing evening.

Day Six – (“Eataly” the home of Italian Gourmet food and Turin - The King's capital)

Eataly – Turin (optional walking tour) - Moncalvo

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today we pay a visit to a truly inspirational monument to the Slow Food movement in Italy and around the world– Eataly. The overriding aim of Eataly is to quash the myth that quality products need to be expensive and hence available to only a limited circle of privileged people. Eataly offers the best cottage-industry products at sustainable prices by dealing directly with the producers. Its main aim is to increase the awareness of consumers so that we can choose high quality products and pay particular attention to the source and processing of raw materials. Guests will have a free lunch at one of Eataly's 8 different restaurants before departing for an early afternoon visit to central Turin, where the majesty of Italy's first capital city (after its unification in 1861) awaits us! An optional walking tour of Turin is also available to guests, and our provided evening meal will be enjoyed either in Moncalvo or at La Quercia Rossa.

Day Seven – (Barolo, Barbaresco and the beautiful Langhe Region!)

Barbaresco Winery visit & tasting - Langhe lunch - Barolo township (PM - Optional Truffle hunt)

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Today begins with a mid-morning visit to a local Barbaresco winery, where there will be a lovely selection of wines on offer! After the tasting, lunch will be enjoyed either in the Langhe countryside or in Alba. After lunch, we visit the charming village of Barolo, the home of the similarly named wine, arguably Italy's most famous wine, made from the local nebbiolo grape variety. Today guests also have the option of partaking in an optional truffle hunt in Moncalvo upon your return to our lodging!

Day Eight – (Transition and Rest and Relax Day)

Varzi

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Today we leave La Quercia Rossa to head to my father's home town of Varzi where we spend our last 8 days of the tour together. Relax and pack your clothes away in the wardrobes because you won't be leaving here until Day 15 of the tour! In the evening we meet up for an aperitivo before heading off for dinner at a local eatery with a menu composed of both national and local dishes.

Day Nine - (Local market, Winery Resort and Shopping Extravaganza Day!)

Varzi – Piedmont (Serravalle/Walk and Villa Sparina Winery-Gavi)

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Today we start off by exploring the local Varzi market where we have the opportunity to see the delicious produce on offer, along with an interesting assortment of other wares. The market or "mercato" was traditionally a cattle and produce market, and cattle farmers from the surrounding hills would congregate once a week, not only to trade in their produce, but also to meet with their friends and fellow farmers.

Mid morning we take you to the beautiful Villa Sparina resort where we will explore a centuries old Piedmont wine cellar, which houses international award-winning wines. After the cellar tour we will dine at “La Gallina”, its delightful Michelin starred restaurant which offers glorious views over the vineyards.

For a taste of something different you have the opportunity to shop at the contemporary designer shopping village in nearby Serravalle della Scrivia (there's an optional country walk if you don't want to shop). At Serravalle you can literally “shop til you drop” in an outlet containing a magnificent array of famous Italian brands, including of course the iconic Prada and Dolce & Gabbana.

Day Ten – (Classic Architecture Day)

Pavia - Certosa di Pavia

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

We begin the day in the classy university city of Pavia, once the capital of Lombardy, which is located on the banks of the Ticino river. After our morning stroll we enjoy lunch together at one of Pavia’s traditional restaurants for a sample of the local fare. After lunch we head to another hidden gem of Italy, the Certosa di Pavia, a stunning fourteenth Century monastery hidden deep in the countryside between the cities of Milan and Pavia. After our visit to this stunning piece of Italian history we return for a free late afternoon/evening in Varzi.

Day Eleven – (Fine Dining and Natural Beauty Day)

Bobbio – Medieval Town, Roman Bridge, Ancient Monastery, Beautiful Scenery

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Today begins with a scenic drive through the stunning countryside of the Staffora and Trebbia Valleys in Southern Lombardy and Emilia Romagna respectively. After crossing the Monte Penice pass we head down to the charming medieval town of Bobbio, in the Emilia Romagna region.

Lunch is in the town’s most elegant restaurant - "Il Piacentino", which is well known for its delicious antipasti and "primi". Afterwards you get the chance to explore this little gem of a town. Two beautiful churches, a fourteen hundred year old monastery and a beautiful Roman Bridge that is full of character, are just some of the delights of Bobbio waiting to be discovered!

In the evening you can simply unwind at Le Cicale or take a leisurely passeggiata around Varzi, where you can enjoy a gelato, coffee, or delicious glass of wine (or two!), before retiring for the evening.

Day Twelve – (Walk, Picnic and Pamper Day)

Abbey of San Alberto Di Butrio and Salice Terme/ Nazzano Optional Walk.

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

This morning we explore the Abbey of San Alberto di Butrio, a place that exudes spirituality and serenity. It is a medieval gem nestled in a green, lush landscape high in the hills above the Staffora Valley. The Abbey was built nearly a thousand years ago by the noble Malaspina family, for San Alberto, the cave-dwelling hermit-turned Saint who cured their mute son. There is also a most curious tomb located here that is said to have been a temporary resting place for the body of an English King! After our abbey visit we enjoy a delightful picnic together in the surrounding countryside, and after this there is an optional afternoon visit to the nearby town of Salice Terme, which is historically famous for its thermal springs and health spas. Over the years it has been frequented by luminaries such as Julius Caesar, who rested and bathed here on his way back from battle in Gaul. Here you can experience the spa pools and salt room, enjoying the benefits of its healthy sulphurous water. If you don’t want to have a swim at Salice Terme, you can choose to take a delightful walk in the surrounding countryside. The evening is free and will be spent in Varzi.

Day Thirteen – (Fashion and Style Day- Optional Walking tour with Da Vinci's Last Supper Fresco visit)

Milan

Provided Meals: Breakfast

Today we have a free day in Milan, the capital of the region of Lombardy and arguably the fashion capital of the world! After being dropped off in the morning guests will have the whole day to explore the varied and interesting sights of this unique city. There is also a walking tour with a visit to Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper fresco on offer for today. Several interesting itineraries will also be available to guests, depending on whether one is keen on shopping, art or food. Regardless of your desires we will help you to make the most out of your day!

After our day out the late afternoon/evening is free in Varzi.

Day Fourteen – (Wining and Dining Day)

Visit to Medieval Town and Castle – Winery Visits - Farewell Lunch!

Provided Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Today we spend the morning in the hills of the Oltrepo Pavese, a wine production region that is home to almost 500 producers and some very drinkable vino! However, first we visit the quaint township of Zavatarello, where an imposing, centuries old castle is perched right above the town. In the mid morning we move on to an artisan and family- run winery called Ca Del Ge, which is situated 300 metres above sea level and on the 45th parallel. The owners, Sara, Stefania and Carlo Padroggi, are passionate about their business, and their pride and joy is their“Passito” - a sweet, still wine made from either Moscato (Muscat) or Croatina grapes. After our morning winery visit we head to a nearby winery resort for our farewell lunch. Here we sample some delicious local wine accompanied by local dishes in an inspirational setting that will have you wishing you never need to leave! After lunch we return to Varzi for a relaxing afternoon and evening to prepare for tomorrow's departure.

Day Fifteen – (Farewell Day)

Departure for Milan Malpensa Airport and Voghera train station - End of Tour

Provided Meals: Breakfast

Today we say farewell to the lush rolling hills of Southern Piedmont and Lombardy. After breakfast, you will be taken either to Milan’s Malpensa Airport, or the train station at Voghera. Alternatively you can make your own arrangements for your onward journey.

Arrivederci!!!!!